Click on the image to view more photos
Victor Maccharoli- Santa Barbara Council member Iya Falcone held a press conference Monday afternoon to announce her candidacy for Mayor.
Cube Ad
The Mayoral war is on
Steve Cushman likely to run
This is war.
Ten months before voters crown a new mayor, the highly anticipated clash between one-time friends Santa Barbara City Council members Iya Falcone and Helene Schneider exploded into the public eye yesterday.
Falcone, in her eighth year on the council, announced from Storke Placita that she was going to going return Santa Barbara “back to the basics,” boost public safety and return the city’s focus back to its residents.
An array of current and former elected officials and attorneys stood behind Falcone, but noticeably absent in her crowd were any of her six colleagues on the city council, two of whom have backed Schneider in the race, including current Mayor Marty Blum.
But on the same day of Falcone’s big announcement, the race took a surprising twist that could shake up the entire political landscape. Steve Cushman, the longtime president of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce, said he is likely to jump into the race within the next 30 days.
On Monday Cushman asked and received permission from his board of directors to run for the seat. Many people, he said, have asked him to run and he’s eager.
“If there was ever a time for a business person to run, now is the time,” Cushman told the Daily Sound. The Chamber head said he would bring a strong fiscal background, sound economic values, and common sense to the council.
A popular advocate among business owners, Cushman, said he wants to get a legal opinion on whether he can continue to lead his nonprofit and serve as mayor, before formally jumping into the race.
Cushman’s entry would likely complicate matters for Falcone, a moderate Democrat who has moved to the middle in recent years, as she has slid in popularity among progressive liberals in the city.
Falcone, 53, a moderate Democrat, and one-time mentor to the 37-year-old Gen-Xer, Schneider, has been longing for Blum's seat for years. Schneider, with the backing of social justice activists, emerged in recent years as a mayoral contender.
While the two share similar core Democratic values, the two have splintered as it became clear that both wanted to be mayor.
The race is bound to split the city's Democratic Party and cause some ugly battle lines to be drawn.
Falcone, a dynamic behind-the-scenes power broker, with influential friends in powerful positions, has access to some deep Santa Barbara pockets.
“She the best,” said former Mayor Hal Conklin. “She’s got the tenacity and the personality and the set of values it takes to really present the city.”
Sgt. Charles McChesney, president of the Santa Barbara Police Officers Association, said Falcone was the union’s choice.
“She has been a leader in keeping the message that public safety has been a top priority for local government,” McChesney said.
From First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal and his popular predecessor Naomi Schwarz to former Santa Barbara Mayor Harriet Miller and police and fire public safety unions, Falcone has incredible support among a wing of the Democratic party politerati.
At Monday’s press conference, Falcone, in a dynamic, booming voice, exuded confidence.
“I am a solutions finder,” she said. “I am a decision-maker. I find solutions to very complicated problems.”
Schneider enjoys wide support among environmentalists, liberal activists, and the influential Women's Political Committee, which helped groom her into a leadership position. She has also linked in to a network of Obama supporters who are expected to help her branch out to a broad pool of younger voters during the campaign.
The big prize in the race is the support of Rep. Lois Capps, (D-Santa Barbara). Whether she will choose between her two friends remains to be seen.
While similar in their politics, stylistically, the two are on separate planets. Falcone, a former political consultant and attorney, has a commanding presence, and is extremely calculating in her political strokes. Schneider, a former Human Resources Manager for Planned Parenthood, comes off thoughtful and likable, but has been criticized for being too far too left in her advocacy for homeless persons, RV dwellers and the working poor.
Schneider, in her sixth year on the council, said she decided to run only after being urged in the last couple of years by supporters.
“We are facing big challenges,” Schneider told the Daily Sound. “In this economy, we need to provide leadership and environmental stewardship.”
Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams said Schneider and Falcone are both good candidates but that Schneider has a lot of energy, an immense understanding of the issues and works well with other people.
“She’s collaborative and knows how to build bridges,” Williams said.
As mayor, Schneider said she would “bring people from different backgrounds together to reach a common goal.”
The two both have strong bases of support, so the race will be fought in the middle. The winner will have to tap into the growing number of voters who are frustrated with City Hall, and who will see both Falcone and Schneider as too similar and as part of an institutional problem. The election of outsider Dale Francisco in 2007 proved that there is a significant number of voters who are fed up with the city's land-use policies, particularly the approval of high-density housing projects and traffic-calming devices, as well as frustration over the city's dismal budget deficit.
This group of voters will likely decide the winner of the race, and they may even still recruit an outsider, in the mold of Francisco, a conservative, to run as a protest candidate. So far, no one has emerged, although former city councilman Dr. Dan Secord’s name has been floated in recent months.
A formidable entrant such as Secord or Cushman, who can appeal to the middle, would turn the entire race on its head.
For now, it's a fierce battle between two of the most powerful women in Santa Barbara politics. And just as Falcone ended her press conference on Monday “this is just the beginning.”
Comment on this article
MORE OF THE SAME? : 2/24/2009
You're kidding right? Considering the severely accelerated murder, assault and gang crime rate in only the last TWO YEARS, does ANYONE from the current council deserve to be Mayor? Here we have not one, but TWO Councilmembers with the arrogance to assume they have done a wonderful job, that DARE even consider it! With the anti-business, anti-automobile, green everything at any cost, transfer of wealth away from the middle class to affordable housing and working wages, poor budgeting, excessive spending and time wasting on national politics, pacify the youth, anti- law enforcement attitude we have seen destroy Santa Barbara, it is past time for CHANGE!!
Aaron Shaw
Social Injustice : 2/24/2009
The idea of "Social Justice" that gives Schneider her political power means that her supporters believe it is "just" to steal from you, the producers, in order to give your money to anyone with their hand out, including Mexican citizens. People of her ilk think that it isn't fair for you to keep the money you worked hard for, because there are others unwilling to work as hard as you. Say goodbye to the middle class in Santa Barbara, who can no longer afford to support the underachievers that flock to our town for the very reason that so many here believe in "social justice".
Aaron Shaw
AShaw keep it coming : 2/24/2009
Aaron Shaw, why stop at just two consecutive nonsensical comments? Let your freak flag fly!!!
Average Joe
Anonymous Comment : 2/24/2009
I don't understand why people who comment on these pages find it necessary to attack the other people who comment. We need to stick to the issues and debate them in a professional manner. It's really disappoint to see the citizens of progressive Santa Barbara jolted back to the dark ages with inappropriate personal attacks. Mr Shaw is just as much entitled to his opinion as you are average Joe. Debate the issues, not the person, otherwise, you'll just go nuts.
Jim Durrier
Cushman would be fantastic as a Mayoral candidate! : 2/24/2009
Cushman would be fantastic as a Mayoral candidate! Run Steve, Run!!!
Committee to Draft Cushman for Mayor
Mayorial War : 2/24/2009
What good sense you have, Mr. Durrier. Yes, everyone should be tolerant of differing views. Santa Barbara has a finite coffer. We vote for those that will disbuse those funds wisely. Hopefully as a business man, Steve Cushman will be fiscally prudent with the citizens money. Not like the spendthrifts in Washington. I can't afford more handouts...
MamaBuzz
Go Steve Go! : 2/24/2009
Steve Cushman running for Mayor? This is the first sane thing I've heard in a long time. If anyone knows what this town needs, it's Steve. You have my vote
Please eliminate the war-like language : 2/24/2009
Josh and Daily Sound: Yes, two women are competing in the Mayor's race. Good! Now if the media can refrain from doing its best to instigate a "fight" we'll be better off. By using words like "war is on" "fierce battle", "clash" "exploded" you are really over the top. Calm down. This is Santa Barbara. These are two Democrats with pretty similar records, once the dust and personaliities clear.
I like both of them
It's war to Iya : 2/24/2009
Iya likes a battle and will treat it as such, I wouldn't put it past her. This is going to be good, and actually Steve Cushman is probably an excellent candidate for mayor. Good luck to him, to take down Falcone!
Two Cents
"Vote" comment : 2/24/2009
Anonymous charge with no supporting information aloud to post. Editor- Use your delete key.
Charles Croninger
wow the attacks have begun : 2/24/2009
good to see the same nasty campaigners who attacked Iya in 2005 are still on their keyboards.....isn't it enough for you to just campaign positively for whoever you support? Quite sad, really. Oh, and doesn't help your cause, either
shaking my head
Political Warfare is not Sexist : 2/24/2009
Falcone has a long, sordid, inconsistent record to defend. This is totally fair to attack it and news correspondent Josh Molina will do a great community service to explore the records of all the mayoral candidates. Molina's news article today was advanced reporting to shape the real political tableau and not just be a short documentation of the hastily organized and poorly attended event last Monday.
News Falcon
this is the blogosphere : 2/25/2009
Indeed, it's fair to attack the record, with specifics. And fiercely. It is not fair --- nor is it helpful to use epithets such as "bigot" or, for that matter, "fantastic candidate". One of those is laughable; the other offensive. (Which is which or do they blur?) But this is the blogosphere where we spew and accomplish nothing.
CRB
Reportage : 2/25/2009
Joshua Molina, as usual, is getting it wrong and not correcting in todays paper. Helene is not endorsed by 5 of her fellow councilmembers. But what the heck, sounds good and support his skewed analysis. I am a old News Press supporter, I miss my old paper. But some of the reporters were awful. Molina leads that pack.
Please, just stop it!
Politically Correct madness : 2/25/2009
Ok Average Joe - I will throw in another one, thanks for the invite. According to some of the bloggers here, we are suppose to be weally, weally nice when we offer our opinions. We are not supposed to "attack" anyone or use war like language, or offend anyone's sensibilities, even if they are running for political office (unless of course, their name is Bush or Cheney or something similar). Good Lord I thought this was America, where freedom of expression was respected. I guess we "changed" into something else somewhere along the way. What country is this?
Aaron Shaw
Aaron Shaw : 2/25/2009
His first name is Aaron allright, but his last isn't "Shaw". I recognize this guy as a bloated-headed big mouth who ran for Council some years ago because he thought he had "the calling", and ended up with 1,000 votes less than a park bench bum, who was also on the ballot. Can anybody identify the last name of this clown?
Observer
a little READING COMPREHENSION please... : 2/25/2009
Here is what really was written in the news article: "An array of current and former elected officials and attorneys stood behind Falcone, but noticeably absent in her crowd were any of her six colleagues on the city council, two of whom have backed Schneider in the race, including current Mayor Marty Blum." IN NO WAY DOES THAT MEAN that these four other Council members must be assumed to be endorsing Schneider. They could be taking no position in endorsing. The comment here by Reportage is just pathetic complaining, spinning, whining, etc. because the Iya backers do not know anything else and certainly cannot defend her record on the City council.
Plain English
Aaron Shaw is actually Aaron Shaw : 2/25/2009
That is his real name (points for at least that courage) and he was a lame columnist who faded away within a few weeks after starting in the Daily Sound a paranoid rant called "The Conservative Turtle". Aaron Shaw posts often at the Independent website comments, typically a series of factually-challenged rants entered sequentially within a few minutes of each other. The paranoid Conservative Turtle was analyzed thoroughly at Blogabarbara in September 2007: http://blogabarbara.blogspot.com/2007/09/turtles-with-bit-of-drama.html
The Liberal Amphibian
Denial : 2/25/2009
The comment attributed to Blum uses language I don't use and attacks someone personally which I don't believe in doing. The "Blum" in the signature is definitely not me. I hope for a good race for my seat with good fair discussion. Marty Blum
Reading Comprehension Please? : 2/26/2009
A little READING COMPREHENSION please, I know I am a pathetic whiner but, if what you say is true, and it isn't, why did the Sound run a retraction in yesterday's paper? Because House and Horton both complained that they were listed as endorsing Schneider in the race in the print edition on Tuesday when, in fact, they are not. Of course you are right that I am a pathetic, whining spinner but, homes, I can read.
Reportage
New Homeless : 2/28/2009
By Tharon Chandler A discrepency I myself need to address is the difference between types of homeless and for this example I'll mention two types including the a). ' chronic vagrant' and b). the political refugee (such as myself and some people from other contries), with regards to the massive funds that go to 'aid' such persons (behind the scenes). Though I myself am an excellent cook and a skillful camper I end up needing to spend a few nights each month in some sort of 'homeless shelter' (because of cold rain and/ or run out of 'food stamps') though the truth is that I am not actually in need of any of the 'extra-special' services that they do provide for some of the indigent and mildly retarded persons there (and of which they seek to clasify all the 'clients' there for reasons of financial incentives involved (behind the scenes). There is a difference and we need all resources to be applied properly, with regard to any such debates. Thanks
Tharon Chandler
Comcast cable tv listings : 8/17/2009
Sorry. To manage such a human life is nozt enough, the life expectancy of members of elite families on average - years. Help me! Can not find sites on the: The mystical sound of music through the flute.. I found only this - [URL=http://restoration.earthisland.org/Members/Comcast]Comcast cable roseville[/URL]. Comcast corporation agrees to buy susquehanna communications from susquehanna pfaltzgraff comcast chairman and ceo brian. The cable guy was great by the way and left me a set of component video cables and a dvi hdmi cable. Thank you very much :mad:. Skipper from Bahamas.
Skipper
Hair replacement surgery : 9/5/2009
Good morning. Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. I am from Marino and learning to read in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "There are white cells of typical interpretations undergoing examples after use to these requirements." Thank you very much ;). Dante.
Dante
Cost of non surgical hair replacement : 9/8/2009
Hi all. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit. Help me! There is an urgent need for sites: Hair replacement techniques, in nonischemic mustache, it seems to anabolic challenges carried to flee growth or the registration of these treatments into a ultimate human quarter-million grandfather.. I found only this - [URL=http://www.ismar07.org/Members/Replacement/oxnard-hair-replacement]oxnard hair replacement[/URL]. The regions are strong for producing the frequency of the run, and must keep it seriously. hair replacement cenerts nj most recommended. Waiting for a reply :confused:, Quintina from Nepal.
Quintina
Contact Us!
411 E. Canon Perdido, Ste 2
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone (805) 564-6001
Fax (866) 716-8350
Click here to view the PDF Edition
Subscription Required
Tile Ads
Most Read Stories
Check out these most read stories.
- Santa Barbara Police Department cites 21 for driving without a license at weekend DUI checkpoints
- Searching for a cure: Dos Pueblos graduate pursues stem cell therapy to battle Lyme disease
- Santa Barbara budget showdown - 'heat is on' as police union, city management clash
- Santa Barbara church hit by '666,' graffiti four times in year
- Rising pension costs sink city's budget
Most Talked About Stories
Check out these recent talked about stories, and voice your opinion...
- Report suggests Santa Barbara Police Department targets illegal immigrants
- Santa Barbara Police Department cites 21 for driving without a license at weekend DUI checkpoints
- Arrests made in pot shop extortion
- ICE initiative targets dangerous illegal immigrants
- Santa Barbara County greenhouse marijuana bust near Highway 101 leads to two arrests; pot value as high as $80 million
- Forum tackles Santa Barbara's homeless issues
- Santa Barbara budget showdown - 'heat is on' as police union, city management clash
- Lois Capps, activists rally in support of women's reproductive rights
